I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 8 – RIV – 10 (PM R104.9/R134.0) 1C082/0816000087

Draft Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration/ Environmental Assessment

Prepared by the State of California, Department of Transportation

The environmental review, consultation, and any other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by Caltrans pursuant to 23 USC 327 and the Memorandum of Understanding dated December 23, 2016 and executed by FHWA and Caltrans.

May 2019

Left Blank Intentionally

General Information about This Document

What’s in this document:

The California Department of Transportation (Department), as assigned by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has prepared this Initial Study/Environmental Assessment (IS/EA), which examines the potential environmental impacts of the alternatives being considered for the proposed project located in Riverside County, California. The Department is the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Department is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The document tells you why the project is being proposed, what alternatives we have considered for the project, how the existing environment could be affected by the project, the potential impacts of each of the alternatives, and the proposed avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation measures.

What you should do:

• Please read this document.

• Additional copies of this document and related technical studies are available for review at:

Department of Transportation, Caltrans District 8 12th Floor 464 W. 4th Street San Bernardino, CA 92401

• This document may be downloaded at the following website:

www.dot.ca.gov/d8/

• We’d like to hear what you think. If you have any comments about the proposed project, please call (909) 806-2541, or send your written comments to Caltrans by the deadline.

• Send comments via postal mail to: Antonia Toledo, Environmental Branch Chief Department of Transportation Caltrans District 8 Environmental Planning (MS 820) 464 W. 4th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401

• Send comments via email to: [email protected]

• Be sure to send comments by the deadline: June 24, 2019

What happens next:

After comments are received from the public and reviewing agencies, Caltrans may: (1) give environmental approval to the proposed project, (2) do additional environmental studies, or (3) abandon the project. If the project is given environmental approval and funding is obtained, Caltrans could design and construct all or part of the project.

Alternative Formats:

For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document can be made available in Braille, in large print, on audiocassette, or on computer disk. To obtain a copy in one of these alternate formats, please call or write Caltrans, Attn: Terri Kasinga, Chief, Public Affairs, 464 West 4th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401; (909) 383-4646 (Voice), or use the California Relay Service 1 (800) 735- 2929 (TTY), 1 (800) 735-2929 (Voice) or 711.

This page intentionally left blank

SCH:______

Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Pursuant to: Division 13, Public Resources Code

Project Description

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to rehabilitate the existing asphalt concrete (AC) pavement on Interstate 10 (I-10) from West of the SR-177/I-10 Separation, at Post Mile (PM) R104.9, to 1.05 miles west of the Wiley’s Well Road Overcrossing (PM R134.0) in the County of Riverside. Rehabilitation activities include removal and replacement of existing inside and outside shoulders, guardrails, rumble strips, drainage inlets, and dikes, and installation of oversized drains. The proposed project will also involve upgrades to ramp facilities for ADA compliance, installation of two temporary detour lanes in the existing median, extension of existing rock slope protection (RSP) at 44 bridge locations, and hydroseeding the median for erosion control and vegetation restoration.

Determination

This proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is included to give notice to interested agencies and the public that it is Caltrans’ intent to adopt a MND for this project. This does not mean that Caltrans’ decision regarding the project is final. This MND is subject to change based on comments received by interested agencies and the public.

Caltrans has prepared an Initial Study for this project, and pending public review, expects to determine that the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment for the following reasons:

The proposed project would have no impact on aesthetics, agricultural and forest resources, air quality, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, tribal cultural resources, or utilities and service systems.

The proposed project would have less than significant impact on cultural resources, and hydrology and water quality.

The proposed project would have less than significant impacts with mitigation on biological resources.

To avoid and/or minimize potential impacts to biological resources, the following measures will be implemented.

WQ-1: Construction General Permit. Prior to commencement of construction activities, the contractor shall obtain coverage under the State Water Resources Control Board’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities (Construction General Permit), Order No. 2009-0009-DWQ, as amended by 2010- 0014-DWG and 2012-0006-DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000002, or any other subsequent permit. This shall include submission of Permit Registration Documents (PRDs), including Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the permit to the State Water Resources Control Board via the Stormwater Multiple Application and Report

Tracking System (SMARTS). Construction activities shall not commence until a Waste Discharge Identification Number (WDID) is obtained from SMARTS. A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) shall be prepared and implemented to address all construction-related activities, equipment, and materials that have the potential to impact water quality.

WQ-2: Caltrans MS4 Permit. The contractor shall comply with the provisions of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, Statewide Storm Water Permit, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for the State of California, Department of Transportation Order No. 2012-0011-DWQ (Caltrans MS4 Permit), as amended by Order No. 2014-0006-EXEC, Order No. 2014-0077-DWQ, and Order No. 2015-0036-EXEC, NPDES No. CAS000003, or any subsequent permit. Caltrans- approved Design Pollution Prevention BMPs and Treatment BMPs shall be implemented to the maximum extent practicable (MEP), consistent with the requirements of the Caltrans MS4Permit.

BIO-1: Biological Monitor. An authorized contractor supplied biologist will be designated to oversee compliance of all protective measures and will monitor all construction-related activities. The biological monitor will notify the resident engineer of project activities that may not be in compliance. The resident engineer will stop work until the protective measures are implemented fully.

BIO-2: Worker Environmental Awareness Training. A qualified biologist will present to each employee (including temporary, contractors, and subcontractors) a worker environmental awareness training, prior to the initiation of work. They will be advised of the special status species in the project area, the steps to avoid impacts to the species and the potential penalties for taking such species. At a minimum, the program will include the following topics: occurrence of the listed and sensitive species in the area, their general ecology, sensitivity of the species to human activities, legal protection afforded these species, penalties for violations of Federal and State laws, reporting requirements, and project features designed to reduce the impacts to these species and promote continued successful occupation of the project area environs. Included in this program will be color photos of the listed species, which will be shown to the employees. Following the education program, the photos will be posted in the contractor and resident engineer office, where they will remain through the duration of the project. The contractor, resident engineer, and the qualified biologist will be responsible for ensuring that employees are aware of the listed species. If additional employees are added to the project after initiation, they will receive instruction prior to working on the project.

BIO-3: Materials and Spoils. Project materials will not be cast from the project site into nearby habitats and project related debris, spoils, and trash will be contained and removed to a proper disposal facility.

BIO-4: Equipment Staging. Equipment, vehicles, and materials staged and stored in Caltrans right-of-way will be sited in previously paved or previously disturbed areas only and will avoid native vegetation.

BIO-5: De-Watering Plan. For all bridges that cross jurisdictional drainages and are susceptible to running water, a de-watering/water control plan must be created and implemented in accordance with Caltrans Water Control Standard Specifications

(Standard Specification 13-4.03G) if water is present or could be present during construction activities.

BIO-6: Dust Control. The contractor shall implement dust control measures during construction activities to avoid inundating surrounding vegetation and to ensure biological monitors on the project site have visibility for monitoring the covered species.

BIO-7: Rare Plant Pre-Construction Clearance Survey, Flagging, and Fencing. No more than one week prior to ground breaking activities, a qualified biologist must perform a pre-construction plant survey. Should any rare plants be found, individuals will be flagged for clear identification to ensure they are visible to construction personnel for avoidance. Should multiple plants in a single location be found, the groupings will be fenced with environmental sensitive temporary fencing.

BIO-8: Rare Plant Translocation. If a special status plant species is found within the work area, the authorized, contractor-supplied biologist will contact the appropriate resource agency(s), to determine the time and suitable translocation area for the plant species to be moved. Additional requirements and actions will be determined at the time in which such an action arises.

BIO-9: Pre-construction Nesting Bird Survey. If construction occurs within the bird nesting season (February 15 to September 1), then pre-construction surveys will be conducted by a qualified biologist to locate and avoid nesting birds. If an active nest is located, a 300-foot no-construction buffer (500-foot buffer for raptors) will be put in place until nesting has ceased or the young have fledged.

BIO-10: Pre-Construction Desert Tortoise Survey. Immediately prior to the start of ground disturbing activities, and prior to the installation of any desert tortoise exclusion fencing, clearance surveys for the desert tortoise will be conducted by the biologist. The entire project area will be surveyed for desert tortoise and their burrows by the contractor supplied biologist prior to the start of any ground disturbing activities.

BIO-11: Temporary Desert Tortoise Fencing. Temporary exclusion fencing will be installed outlining the perimeter of any construction staging, storage, or batch plant areas to prevent entry by desert tortoises into the work site. Exclusion fencing will be installed following Service guidelines (2017) or more current protocol. The biologist must check the fencing daily and make any necessary repairs should it become damaged.

BIO-12: Desert Tortoise Under Vehicles and/or Equipment. The contractor supplied biologist and project personnel shall carefully check under parked vehicles and equipment for desert tortoises before any of the vehicles or equipment can be moved.

BIO-13: Desert Tortoise in Work Area. If at any time a desert tortoise is observed in the project area, the contractor supplied biologist will have the authority to halt any activities, through the Resident Engineer or any other identified authority in charge of implementation, that may pose a threat to desert tortoises and to direct movements of equipment and personnel to avoid injury to mortality to desert tortoises. Desert tortoises will be removed by the authorized biologist according to guidelines

set forth by USFWS in the Biological Opinion to a translocation site pre-approved by the appropriate wildlife/resource agency(s). Should a tortoise require removal from the work site, USFWS will be contacted.

BIO-14: Injured or Dead Desert Tortoise. The contractor supplied biologist will inform USFWS and CDFW of any injured or dead desert tortoises (and other special status species) found on site (verbal notification within 24 hours and written notification within 5 days).

BIO-15: Desert Tortoise Monitoring Reports. The contractor supplied biologist will conduct daily on-site monitoring and submit a weekly monitoring report for desert tortoises (and additional special status species) during construction.

BIO-16: Speed Limits in Desert Tortoise Habitat. Except on maintained public roads designated for higher speeds or within desert tortoise-proof fenced areas, driving speeds will not exceed 20 miles per hour through potential desert tortoise habitat on unpaved roads.

BIO-17: Desert Tortoise Predation Prevention. To preclude attracting predators, such as the common raven (Corvus corax) and coyotes (Canis latrans), food-related trash items will be placed in covered refuse cans and removed daily from the work sites and disposed of at an appropriate refuse disposal site. Workers are prohibited from feeding any and all wildlife.

BIO-18: Identifying Burrowing Owl Burrows. The entire project area will be surveyed for burrowing owls and their burrows by the contractor supplied biologist no more than 30 days prior to the start of any ground disturbing activities. Use bright orange environmentally sensitive area (ESA) fencing, clearly mark areas supporting burrows and a buffer zone setback area.

BIO-19: Burrowing Owl Nesting Season Avoidance. Occupied burrowing owl burrows and the established buffer zone setback area surrounding each of the occupied burrows shall not be disturbed during the nesting season (February 1 to August 31), unless a biologist can verify through noninvasive methods that either the owls have not begun egg laying and incubation or that juveniles from the occupied burrows are foraging independently and are capable of independent flight.

BIO-20: Burrowing Owl Burrow Exclusion. For unavoidable impacts to occupied burrowing owl burrows, the burrows must be excluded and closed by a qualified biologist to permanently exclude burrowing owls. One-way doors would need to be temporarily installed in burrow openings during the non-breeding season (September 1 to January 31) and before breeding behavior has begun. Suitable habitat (including suitable burrows) must be available adjacent or near the disturbance site or artificial burrows shall need to be provided nearby. Once the biologist has confirmed that the owls have left the burrow, burrows shall be excavated using hand tools and filled to prevent reoccupation. All burrowing owls associated with occupied burrows, that shall be directly impacted (temporarily or permanently) by the Project shall be passively relocated.

BIO-21: Burrowing Owl Relocation. All burrowing owl relocation shall be approved by CDFW. The permitted biologist shall monitor the relocated owls a minimum of three

days per week for a minimum of three weeks. A report summarizing the results of the relocation and monitoring shall be submitted to CDFW within 30 days following completion of the relocation and monitoring of the owls.

BIO-22: Desert Kit Fox Pre-Construction Survey. A qualified contractor supplied biologist will conduct pre-construction surveys for desert kit fox within the project site and biological study area boundaries no more than 30 days prior to the commencement of ground-breaking activities. Dens will be classified as inactive, potentially active, or definitely active. Should dens be deemed active, additional surveys will be required (see BIO-23).

BIO-23: Desert Kit Fox Den Complex Monitoring. All desert kit fox den complexes in the project site identified as potentially active or definitely active will be monitored in accordance to CDFW guidelines. If once the monitoring is concluded, no desert kit fox tracks are found at the burrow entrance, or no photos of the target species using the den are observed, the den can be excavated and backfilled by hand. If a den is identified as being active, it must further be classified as non-natal or natal den. Potential natal den complexes are to be monitored for a minimum of 3 additional days using infrared wildlife cameras and/or tracking medium to determine their status. If the den complex is determined to be natal during the denning period (February - June), a 200-foot non-disturbance buffer zone will be established surrounding natal dens, and monitoring by infrared cameras or weekly visits by a qualified contractor supplied biologist will continue until it has been determined that the young have dispersed. The final buffer distance will be determined in consultation with the BLM and CDFW. If the den complex within the project site is determined to be non-natal, passive hazing techniques will be used to discourage desert kit fox from using the den complex.

BIO-24: Desert Kit Fox Passive Relocation. Desert kit fox must be excluded from all den complexes within the project site portion of the Project disturbance area. Inactive dens that are within the project site, will immediately be excavated by hand and backfilled to prevent reuse by desert kit fox. If tracks or desert kit fox is captured in camera photos, then various passive hazing techniques will be implemented to deter desert kit fox from using the den complex. If desert kit fox are present and passive relocation techniques fail, CDFW will be contacted to explore other relocation options such as trapping, in consultation with the BLM.

BIO-25: Stop Work Restrictions for Desert Kit Fox Presence. If during construction activities a desert kit fox is within the project site, all construction activities shall stop, and the contracted supplied biologist shall be notified. Consultation with resource agencies may be required, as appropriate.

BIO-26: Animal Entrapment Avoidance. To prevent inadvertent entrapment of desert kit foxes or other animals during the construction phase of a project, all excavated, steep-walled holes or trenches more than 2 feet deep should be covered at the close of each working day by plywood or similar materials or provided with one or more escape ramps constructed of earth fill or wooden planks. Before such holes or trenches are filled, they should be thoroughly inspected for trapped animals.

BIO-27: Pre-Construction Survey and Monitoring by a Qualified Bat Biologist. Prior to construction start, a qualified biologist will conduct a survey to determine if bats are

roosting in any of the bridges. If work on bridges that support bat roosting during the bat maternity season (April 1–August 31) cannot be avoided, a qualified bat biologist will perform a humane eviction/exclusion of roosting bats from the bridges in the fall (September or October) before initiation of construction. The exclusionary material will be inspected regularly and maintained during construction activities and will be removed at the completion of construction.

BIO-28: Wildlife Fencing. Permanent fencing will be installed at key wildlife crossings in the project area (e.g., PM 132-134) to direct wildlife, including but not limited to desert tortoise, American badger, and southern mule deer, into the highway undercrossing.

BIO-29: ACOE Coordination. Prior to project approval, Caltrans will submit a letter requesting determination of non-jurisdiction and an approved jurisdictional delineation to USACE for concurrence.

BIO-30: 401 Permit. Prior to soil disturbance, a 401 permit will be obtained from the RWQCB.

BIO-32: Median Soil Disturbance During Design. During final design topography will be considered, and soil disturbance minimized, to lessen potential impacts to desert tortoise critical and suitable habitat.

BIO-33: Hydroseeding. After completion of detour-lane construction, disturbed soil will be hydroseeded with a native-plant see mix to restore the PIA.

In order to mitigate for potential impacts to desert tortoise, the following measures will be implemented.

BIO-31: 1602 Permit. Pursuant to Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code, an LSA would be obtained from the CDFW. Permanent impacts to drainages would be mitigated by land purchase, at a 1:1 ratio, in-lieu fee credit purchase, or habitat restoration.

BIO-34: Desert Tortoise Mitigation. Permanent impacts to DTCH and desert tortoise suitable habitat will be mitigated at a minimum 1:1 ratio by land purchase or in-lieu fee credit purchase. Caltrans will submit a 2081 Incidental Take Permit application and translocation plan for potential impacts to desert tortoise and desert tortoise suitable habitat.

______David Bricker Date Deputy District Director District 8 Division of Environmental Planning California Department of Transportation

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Proposed Project 1-1 1.1 Introduction 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need 1-9 1.2.1 Project Purpose 1-9 1.2.2 Project Need 1-9 1.3 Independent Utility and Logical Termini 1-9 1.4 Project Description 1-9 1.5 Project Alternatives 1-9 1.5.1 Alternative 1: No-Build Alternative 1-9 1.5.2 Alternative 2: Build Alternative 1-10 1.6 Permits and Approvals Needed 1-13 Chapter 2 – Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures 2-1 2.1 Human Environment 2.1-1 2.1.1 LAND USE 2.1-1 2.1.2 PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES 2.1-14 2.1.3 FARMLANDS AND TIMBERLANDS 2.1-20 2.1.4 GROWTH 2.1-24 2.1.5 COMMUNITY IMPACTS 2.1-26 2.1.6 RELOCATIONS AND REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS 2.1-38 2.1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 2.1-40 2.1.8 UTILITIES/EMERGENCY SERVICES 2.1-44 2.1.9 TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION/PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES 2.1-48 2.1.10 VISUAL/AESTHETICS 2.1-50 2.1.11 CULTURAL RESOURCES 2.1-54 2.2 Physical Environment 2.2-1 2.2.1 HYDROLOGY AND FLOODPLAIN 2.2-1 2.2.2 WATER QUALITY AND STORMWATER RUNOFF 2.2-3 2.2.3 GEOLOGY/SOILS/SEISMIC/TOPOGRAPHY 2.2-11 2.2.4 PALEONTOLOGY 2.2-19 2.2.5 HAZARDOUS WASTE/MATERIALS 2.2-21 2.2.6 AIR QUALITY 2.2-25 1C082 Draft IS/EA I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

2.2.7 CLIMATE CHANGE 2.2-31 2.2.8 NOISE 2.2-33 2.3 Biological Environment 2.3-1 2.3.1 NATURAL COMMUNITIES 2.3-1 2.3.2 WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS 2.3-27 2.3.3 PLANT SPECIES 2.3-33 2.3.4 ANIMAL SPECIES 2.3-51 2.3.5 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 2.3-73 2.3.6 INVASIVE SPECIES 2.3-83 2.4 Cumulative Impacts 2.4-1 2.4.1 Regulatory Setting 2.4-1 2.4.2 Resources Considered in the Cumulative Analysis 2.4-1 Chapter 3 – California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Evaluation 3-1 3.1 Determining Significance under CEQA 3-1 3.2 CEQA Environmental Checklist 3-2 3.3 Climate Change 3-35 Chapter 4 – Comments and Coordination 4-1 4.1 Cultural Resources 4-1 4.2 Public Agencies 4-2 4.3 Permits, Reviews, and Approvals 4-3 4.4 Public Circulation 4-3 4.5 Coordination Documents 4-5 Chapter 5 – List of Preparers 5-1 Chapter 6 – Distribution List 6-1 Chapter 7 – References Cited 7-1 APPENDICES Appendix A. SCAG FTIP Listing Appendix B. Section 4(f) Evaluation Appendix C. Title VI Policy Statement Appendix D. Environmental Commitments Record (ECR) Appendix E. List of Technical Studies Appendix F. Air Quality Checklist Appendix G. Cultural Resources Coordination Appendix H. List of Acronyms

1C082 Draft IS/EA I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

This page intentionally left blank

1C082 Draft IS/EA I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

Chapter 1 – Proposed Project

1.1 Introduction

California participated in the “Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program” (Pilot Program) pursuant to 23 USC 327, for more than five years, beginning July 1, 2007, and ending September 30, 2012. MAP-21 (P.L. 112-141), signed by President Obama on July 6, 2012, amended 23 USC 327 to establish a permanent Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program. As a result, the Department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding pursuant to 23 USC 327 (NEPA Assignment MOU) with FHWA. The NEPA Assignment MOU became effective October 1, 2012, and was renewed on December 23, 2016 for a term of five years. In summary, the Department continues to assume FHWA responsibilities under NEPA and other federal environmental laws in the same manner as was assigned under the Pilot Program, with minor changes. With NEPA Assignment, FHWA assigned and the Department assumed all of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary's responsibilities under NEPA. This assignment includes projects on the State Highway System and Local Assistance Projects off of the State Highway System within the State of California, except for certain categorical exclusions that FHWA assigned to the Department under the 23 USC 326 CE Assignment MOU, projects excluded by definition, and specific project exclusions.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), as assigned by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Department is also the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

As a transcontinental west-east route, I-10 begins in District 7 in Los Angeles County from the Pacific Coast and traverses across eight states to Florida’s Atlantic Coast along nearly 2,500 miles of flat and rolling terrain. In California, I-10 traverses 244 miles across three counties within Districts 7 and 8. Within District 8, I-10 is 196 miles long, ranging from four mixed-flow lanes to eight mixed-flow and two HOV lanes across the Inland Empire and desert regions of both Riverside and San Bernardino counties. In District 8, it begins in Montclair and travels through 20 different cities in both counties.

I-10 serves as a primary connection for commuter traffic and goods movement from seaports in neighboring District 7 to the rest of the country. Although I-10 does not directly link to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the combined ports have the highest twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) of shipping container traffic of any point of entry in the United States. Offloaded container traffic from both ports funnel from District 7 towards the Inland Empire via I-10. From the Los Angeles metropolitan area into the Coachella Valley, the route provides a means for regional commuter trips. East of the Coachella Valley, most trips are interstate, along with a substantial increase of trips related to goods movement. (Caltrans, 2017 [TCR])

According to the Caltrans 2017 Transportation Concept (TCR), the proposed project lies within Segment 14 which contains four (4) general purpose lanes – two in each direction – and no HOV lanes. By 2040, this stretch of I-10 is expected to remain at four lanes. Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 provide the project location and vicinity.

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-1 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

This page intentionally left blank

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-2 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

Figure 1.1-1: Project Region

Draft IS/EA 1-3 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

This page left blank intentionally

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-4 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

Figure 1.1-2: Project Vicinity

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-5 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

This page left blank intentionally

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-6 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

This project is included in the 2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) Amendment Modification #17-16 and is proposed for funding from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) Roadway Preservation Program (FTIP ID: RIVLS02). The proposed project is programed for the 2019-20 program year.

The scope of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the proposed project includes only within the footprint of the regulated activity within the delineated water, but also including an area out to 300 feet to account for noise impacts.

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-7 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

This page intentionally left blank

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-8 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

1.2 Purpose and Need

1.2.1 Project Purpose The primary purpose of this project is to restore and extend the service life of existing pavement for a minimum of forty (40) years, enhance trip reliability, and consequently minimize expenditures associated with future maintenance. The secondary purpose is to improve safety and mobility for the traveling public by upgrading existing features to current design standards such as Metal Beam Guardrail (MBGR), bridge rails, and drainage facilities.

1.2.2 Project Need

Caltrans District 8, Office of Maintenance Engineering identified the need to rehabilitate the existing pavement. this project is needed to address current and future deficiencies of the existing pavement and extend the service life within the project limits and minimize maintenance frequency and consequently worker exposure.

1.3 Independent Utility and Logical Termini Although two other projects with similar scope are proposed along this route, the project limits extend a sufficient length to have independent utility in addressing route maintenance concerns. These rehabilitation efforts have been broken down for ease of delivery in terms of funding, but also to lessen impacts to traveling public. Rehabilitation activities are of sufficient scope to improve the travel experience of motorists through this stretch of I-10 without the need for additional improvements. The project being close to 30 miles long, with a detailed scope, also allows for an effective analysis of potential environmental impacts.

This project is a portion of a total of three future rehabilitation projects. Cumulative impacts are addressed in Section 2.4. Past projects, as wells as smaller projects that have been added to the scope of this project, are also discussed in the Cumulative Impacts section.

1.4 Project Description This section describes the proposed action and the project alternatives developed to meet the purpose and need of the project, while avoiding or minimizing environmental impacts. Two alternatives are considered, including the No-Build Alternative and one Build Alternative. The proposed I-10 rehabilitation build alternative extends about 29 miles from Post Mile 104.9 to Post Mile R134.0 and includes rehabilitation of existing pavement on both the eastbound (EB) and westbound (WB) sides as described in Section 1.5.2 below. The proposed rehabilitation activities would occur within the existing right of way limits and would meet current transportation design standards, while avoiding and/or minimizing impacts to the environment.

1.5 Project Alternatives One no-build and one build alternative are considered for this project. This section describes the proposed alternatives.

1.5.1 Alternative 1: No-Build Alternative

The No-Build Alternative fails to address the project purpose and need, and it provides none of the project benefits cited for Alternative 2. The No-Build Alternative would maintain existing pavement condition of I-10 within the project limits with no rehabilitation on the mainline lanes and ramps or associated improvements. 1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-9 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

Without pavement rehabilitation, the existing pavement condition will deteriorate further along the corridor resulting in operational deficiencies and will necessitate future costly maintenance measures. With no capital improvements, there is no capital cost for this alternative. There would be continued costs associated with maintenance, periodic rehabilitation, and any safety and operational improvements to the existing facility.

1.5.2 Alternative 2: Build Alternative

The Build Alternative would include the following improvements to the identified portion of the I- 10 Corridor:

• Cold plane existing Asphalt Concrete (AC) pavement on the mainline and shoulders. • Raise the profile grade by approximately one foot to achieve the recommended structural section. Raising the profile by one foot requires additional grading on the outside, beyond the existing hinge point, which in turn results in a wider area of environmental impact. To minimize the potential environmental impact, the proposed outside edge of travel way and shoulders would be shifted – in effect shifting the facility – four feet towards the median. • In order to conform and transition to the existing structures profile grade, the existing AC pavement and base of the mainline and shoulders will be removed at approaches and departures for a length of 1000 feet and will be replaced with a full depth structural section (reconstruction). • Construct two temporary detour lanes and crossover lanes in the existing median for traffic handling during construction. • The detour lanes will remain in place after completion of the project and will be striped, signaling to the public that they are not available for use. • Extend existing culverts in the median outside the Clear Recovery Zone. • Remove existing AC on all bridges and treat the exposed deck. • Remove and replace all existing bridge railings. • Replace existing inlets in the median. • Remove and replace existing dikes. • Remove existing MBGR and replace with Midwest Guardrail System. • Remove and reinstall rumble strips. • Widen existing bridges towards the median for the sole purpose of construction traffic handling. • Construct approach and departure slabs at all bridges. • Remove/replace/repair existing Rock Slope Protection (RSP) under existing and widened bridges. • Hydroseed the median for erosion control and attempted vegetation restoration as part of environmental palliative. • Cold plane and overlay existing ramps with Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt. • Install Inventory Marker Signs (G-11) at both bridge approaches facing traffic.

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-10 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

Figure 1.5-1: Typical Cross Section

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-11 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

This page intentionally left blank

1C082 Draft IS/EA 1-12 I-10 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Chapter 1. Proposed Project

This project contains a number of standardized project measures which are employed on most, if not all, Caltrans projects and were not developed in response to any specific environmental impact resulting from the proposed project. These measures are addressed in more detail in the Environmental Consequences sections found in Chapter 2.

After the pub